Cliff Harris, destined for the NFL Hall of Fame, is regarded as one of
football's all-time greats, having established himself among the National
Football League's elite performers following a stellar collegiate career.
Born in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Cliff growing up in Arkansas, attended Ouachita
Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, where he earned a degree in math
with a minor in physics. As the Cowboy's free safety, he quickly became known
and feared for his reckless pursuit of ball carriers. When he was overlooked in
the 1970 NFL draft, Cliff signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys who
were convinced of his abilities after viewing films of his collegiate exploits.
After winning his starting position for the Cowboys, Cliff's rookie season was
interrupted by a tour of duty in the United States Army in 1970. But he wasted
no time in regaining his starting position following his military commitment
and emerged as the NFL's finest free safety. While starting at free safety,
Cliff essentially never left the field. He consistently was a team leader in
tackles, interceptions, punt and kickoff returns.
During his 10-year career with the Cowboys, Cliff played in a record five Super
Bowls, was named to six Pro Bowl squads and was named First Team All-NFL for
four successive seasons. Only he and teammate Roger Staubach started in both of
the 70's Super Bowl victories. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection
Committee also named Cliff to the All-Pro Team of the 1970's. More recently, he
was inducted to the NAIA Hall of Fame in Kansas City and the Arkansas Sports
Hall of Fame.
Following his retirement from football in 1980, Cliff was voted to its Silver
Season All-Time Team in 1991. When given the assignment to choose an "All-Time
Dream Team" from all the football players in history, the experts at Sports
Illustrated named Cliff as their Dream Team Free Safety (Sports Illustrated
Classic Special Issue). After the Cowboys victory in Super Bowl XXX, Sports
Illustrated named Cliff to their all time Cowboy Super Bowl team. In 1997 was
awarded the NFL Alumni Legend's Award. He is also the free safety on the Madden
NFL Video game.
Today, Cliff Harris resides in Rockwall, Texas with his wife Karen and their
children. He is President of Energy Transfer Group, an energy company. Cliff is
active in civic affairs, served as a Board Member of the Kent Waldrep's
National Paralysis Foundation and was the Vice-Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the Dallas Rehabilitation Institute. For thirteen years the Cliff
Harris/Charlie Waters Celebrity Golf Tournament has helped charities. In the
last few years, the tournament has supported the American Diabetes Foundation
where today he is a Board member. is a past President of the Ouachita Baptist
Former Students Association. Additionally, he served on the Board of Directors
of the Dallas NFL Alumni. For the last four years Cliff has also hosted the
Cliff Harris FCA tournament in his hometown of Hot Springs, Arkansas. His
incredible Coach Tom Landry started this tournament.
CHARLIE WATERS
As a player, Charlie Waters was a mainstay for the Dallas Cowboys' "Doomsday
Defense" during the 1970-82 period. Those years were recognized by the NFL as
the "glory years" of the Dallas franchise and the inception of the claim of
AMERICA'S TEAM. He never experienced a losing season, played in 5 Super Bowls,
won 2 World Championships and was nominated for the 2001 class for the Pro
Football HALL OF FAME.
Respected for his courage and knowledge by opponents and teammates alike,
Charlie was selected to the Pro Bowl 3 times and was honored 3 times with
ALL-PRO selections. Charlie currently holds the existing NFL record for most
interceptions in playoff games (9), including 3 in one game (also a record),
and is second in Dallas history in total career thefts, with 50. Known as a
consummate team player, he holds the rare NFL distinction of blocking 4 punts
in 2 successive games. A favorite of the fans, they twice voted him as their
Favorite Cowboy and most recently to The Dallas Morning News' All-Time Cowboys
Team. Other honors include NFL All-Rookie Team, Sports Illustrated Unsung Hero
Award, Summerall / Madden All-Cowboys Team, Dallas Cowboys Silver Anniversary
Team, South Carolina and Clemson University Hall of Fame, the NFL Alumni
Association's Legend Award and the elite group of the 300 All-Time Greatest
Players as recognized by Total Football, The Encyclopedia of the NFL.
After retirement, Charlie worked as a NFL analyst for CBS Sports before
re-entering the NFL as a coach. In his seven seasons on the sideline with the
Denver Broncos, Charlie advanced himself to Defensive Coordinator and his team
to the playoffs four times, gaining the Super Bowl following the 1989 season.
Denver's defense paced the NFL in several defensive categories while under his
tutelage. Charlie also made the transition to the college game with ease, as
his Oregon Duck defense led the PAC 10 to earn a birth in the 1995 Cotton Bowl.
In 1996, Charlie and his family returned to Dallas so that he could return to
the private business sector and is involved with many community and charitable
activities including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the I'm Third
Foundation of Kanakuk Kamps, the Boles Home for Children, The American Diabetes
Association and the Cody Waters Memorial Fund. He presently is employed by
Energy Transfer Group, in the New World of electricity marketing, and works
with his longtime partner Cliff Harris.
